Per The DeSoto Times-Tribune, acting was Akono Dixon's childhood dream. However, he had to overcome certain hurdles to get to where he is now. Dixon told the publication that he had a speech impediment. Moreover, when Dixon told a family member that he wanted to become an actor, they expressed doubts. Nevertheless, Dixon decided to follow his dreams and turned to modeling. In an interview with The Knockturnal, the Mississippi native said, "I started modeling when I was 17, I would travel to New York during spring and summer breaks." Once he graduated high school, Dixon moved to New York.
"I took a Greyhound bus from Memphis to New York, with $80 in my pocket. I lived in a hostel. It was rat-infested and roach-infested, but I was really determined. My parents weren't too happy," he told The Commercial Appeal. His goal was to continue modeling while pursuing a career in acting. Dixon admits that he struggled to book jobs but did not want to give up on acting.
His hard work paid off; in 2019, he was cast in "Dolemite is My Name." Dixon said (via The DeSoto Times-Tribune), "I think I got like 180 no's before I got that role." He added, "And then I had this one audition. It was like, you know what Akono? Just be you.' That instilled confidence in me. I went in to casting and then I found out a week later that they booked me."
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